Hooked on Science: Salty Cooler

Salty Cooler

Materials

• Salt
• Cooler
• Ice
• Water
• Thermometer

Instructions

STEP 1: Fill the cooler half of the way with ice and cold water. Using the thermometer, determine the temperature of the ice and the cold water.

STEP 2: Add one cup of salt and mix. Using the thermometer, determine the temperature of the ice and the cold water.

Explanation

Once the salt is added, the temperature of the ice and cold water drops. The salt lowers the freezing point of water. Basically, salt allows water to exist at a liquid below 32*°F or 0*°C.

Jason Lindsey is a science outreach educator with Hooked on Science. Check out his website, hookedonscience.org, for webcasts and experiments.